Which-Craft?

20/07/2026

Nasa second week na ang Sari-Sari ng Cantina. Come and visit. May film viewing, live portraits, on-the-spot poetry, art merch, at iba

12/07/2026

Public libraries in the Philippines have once again become the subject of online debate after some Threads users argued that physical libraries are no longer necessary because of e-books and digital resources.

A user who favors digital platforms argued that in a third-world country like the Philippines, public libraries are "often inaccessible, underfunded, outdated, or don't even exist."

"Not everyone has the same opportunities or access. Touch some grass," the user said.

Others pushed back, noting that while online options are available, they fail to consider Filipinos who have limited internet access or cannot afford digital alternatives.

"People need libraries because people read and need actual spaces to read," one user said, adding that libraries are also safe spaces for kids who live in troubled households.

"Libraries are where people learn that reading is not a daunting hobby. [They] are run by actual librarians and are so much more than just a physical space holding books," the user also said.

The discussion reflects a long-standing gap in public access.

Republic Act No. 7743, or the Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers Act, requires the establishment of at least one library in every congressional district, municipality, and city, as well as at least one reading center in every barangay.

Based on those targets, there must be a total 43,911 public libraries and reading centers nationwide. But the National Library of the Philippines' 2025 annual report lists only 1,753 affiliated public libraries in the country—roughly 4% of the number envisioned under the law.

The gap is further highlighted across the regions. The Cordillera Administrative Region, which has a population of 1.8 million, only has 10 affiliated public libraries across Abra, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province.

Zamboanga del Sur, meanwhile, has only 11 libraries available for at least one million residents.

The debate may not be about whether public libraries are outdated. Rather, it is about whether Filipinos have ever had meaningful access to one in the first place.

(✍️: Allyson Capati)

12/07/2026

09/05/2026

Just a reminder that libraries keep curiosity alive and communities connected. 💙

Essential then, essential now and forever.
If you’ve got a card, use it. If you don’t, this is your sign to get one. 💳

What's your first memory of going to the library?

27/04/2026

Congratulations, to the participants!
Congratulations, Vintage4400!

24/04/2026

Isang araw makalipas ang World Book Day, share ko lang yung experience namin sa labas ng Naga Metropolitan Cathedral kasama ang dalawang batang mambabasa.
O baka mas tama— dalawang batang maaaring naging mambabasa. Si Alyas Boy—7 taong gulang, at si Alyas Jims, 11.
Ikinuwento nila na tumigil muna sila sa pag-aaral. Binato nung nakatatandang bata yung g**o niya kasi raw wala siyang maintindihan sa klase. Napaka hardcore nun! Pero sa loob namin habang pinakikinggan namin sila na baka hindi dahil ayaw nila, kundi dahil mas maaga silang hinarap ng pangangailangan ng buhay. Araw-araw, nagtitinda. Madalas, namamalimos.
Doon namin nakita na hindi sapat ang salitang “kulang” at “hirap” upang ipaliwanag kung ano ang kahirapan.
Paano mo ilalarawan ang sitwasyon kung pati mismong akses ay wala? Walang tubig, sabi pa ng bata “Kung dai pa mag uran, dai pa kami makakakarigos”
walang kuryente—walang wala. Paano mo ilalarawan kung ang katawan ay pagod na bago pa mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang isip na matuto?
At dito mas lalong nagiging malinaw: ang ganitong uri ng kahirapan ay hindi aksidente.

Ito ay bunga ng mga sistemang matagal nang pumapabor sa iilan—ang mga desisyong paulit-ulit na inuna ang kapangyarihan kaysa serbisyo,ang katiwalian na tahimik ngunit tuloy-tuloy na nagkakait ng batayang pangangailangan.
Habang may iilan na patuloy na nakikinabang, may mga batang hindi man lang nabibigyan ng pagkakataong magsimula.

Nang magbukas kami ng libro, at mag simula ng story telling, may nangyaring tahimik na pagbabago.
Hindi engrande. Hindi rin himala.Pero totoo.
May kuryosidad. May pagtuon.

Dito namin mas lalong naunawaan kung bakit mahalaga ang pisikal na libro. At kung bakit normal dapat itong nakikita rin sa kalye.
Hindi lang bilang kasangkapan sa pagkatuto, kundi bilang bagay na pumuputol sa paulit-ulit na siklo na lumilikha ng puwang para sa imahinasyon, dangal, at pag-asa sa mga lugar kung saan madalas itong ipinagkakait.
Ang sukatan ng literasiya ng isang lungsod ay hindi lang kung gaano karaming libro ang mayroon ito,kundi kung sino ang may kakayahang humawak at magbukas ng mga ito.
At marahil, ang tunay na tanong ay hindi lang kung paano tayo magbibigay ng libro—kundi kung kailan natin haharapin ang mga ugat ng sistemang patuloy na naglalayo sa kanila sa pagkakataon.

03/03/2026

One of our artists, The ArtBishop will be facilitating this art workshop for the Ateneo de Naga SHS community.

22/02/2026

Maraming salamat sa mga bumisita kahapon sa Barlin.

10/02/2026

Hello, Folks! Your city bruhos are looking for a place to visit
🌝
Can you suggest a place? Yung rain proof at may mga bookworms sana 😂
We’ll give free books of all kind—from children’s books, novels and art workshops just for you!
Message us, or refer us, and we’ll make arrangements.

See you!